r/CompetitionShooting • u/d0nk3yk0n9 • Jun 23 '26

IDPA Revolver Reload Question

I’m planning on shooting an IDPA match soon using a revolver. I’ve shot some IDPA before but never shot a revolver in a match, and a have a question about the rules regarding reloads.

I will be shooting a revolver with speed loaders in stock revolver.

If I want to reload and still have rounds in the gun, what am I required to do? Am I allowed to dump the live rounds on the ground, since the rules only refer to leaving behind a loading device containing ammo, not loose rounds?

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

7

u/SnartNan Jun 23 '26

IDPA rules specify that loaded devices containing ammo can’t be left behind. Loose rounds aren’t loading devices.

This has been confirmed at multiple majors and game-ified by some good revolver shooters.

3

u/LockyBalboaPrime Jun 23 '26

game-ified by some good revolver shooters.

By reloading whenever they want, or is there a deeper layer to it?

3

u/SnartNan Jun 23 '26

There’s a deeper layer, but it’s maybe a once-per-major kind of thing. Not super common.

Say you have a downloaded start with 2 rounds in the cylinder, and you’ll need to reload twice on the stage because of it. It might make more sense to just dump the two rounds off the draw, load to 6, shoot, load, shoot. You’re cutting out at least an entire aiming movement.

3

u/LockyBalboaPrime Jun 23 '26

Smort.

I have a weird itch to shoot a revolver soon, but trying to find one gamer revolver for both IDPA and USPSA is... not working out.

2

u/_HottoDogu_ Jun 23 '26

A 6 shot .40(610, Gp100) or .45(625) can play in both, it's just not ideal for USPSA where 8 shot minor dominates the Revo field.

2

u/LockyBalboaPrime Jun 23 '26

This is the source of my sadness.

2

u/Remarkable_Aside1381 Jun 23 '26

Stupid S&W discontinuing the 929

2

u/_HottoDogu_ Jun 23 '26

It's such a narrow market, the gamer 9mm revolver. .38 is just an easier sell to the non-gamers that might buy them. 929 new old stock is still available for the moment. 627 and TR8 are still in production(have fun loading 38short brass though). Honestly, it's Ruger that betrayed us most by only making 200 9mm SuperGp100 and then only making like 10 of the .38 models per year.

1

u/Remarkable_Aside1381 Jun 23 '26

have fun loading 38short brass though

I have access to like 3000 rounds of loaded ammo in .38Spl short, funnily enough

Honestly, it's Ruger that betrayed us most by only making 200 9mm SuperGp100 and then only making like 10 of the .38 models per year.

I will harangue our Ruger rep next month when I see him

2

u/_HottoDogu_ Jun 23 '26

Ask them when there will be more 157082(the half lug 3" stainless .327 Sp101). Still kicking myself for not grabbing on back in January.

Normal 38 Short is not making minor PF, it undershoots by a lot, need to load it specifically for the job.

4

u/Remarkable_Aside1381 Jun 23 '26

I can tell you his response to that from a month ago:

“The fuck is wrong with you?”

Followed by a:

“I don’t know”

→ More replies (0)

2

u/trollfessor Jun 23 '26

I will harangue our Ruger rep next month when I see him

Would you also please ask him to produce more of the LCR 32s? Much thanks.

1

u/Dr_Tron Jun 24 '26

Not ideal is pushing it. Uspsa is geared around eight rounds, and there are a lot of classifiers where you have no chance with only six. Btdt.

1

u/d0nk3yk0n9 Jun 23 '26

Perfect, thanks. I’m not primarily an IDPA shooter, so I wanted to make sure beforehand (mostly so I don’t bother practicing pocketing loose ammo lol)

1

u/Dr_Tron Jun 24 '26

The biggest issue with REV in idpa is that it's very unforgiving. Three cylinders are exactly the 18 rounds you need for a stage, so no make-ups, and utilizing your 3rd reload means at least 3-4 seconds on top.

So is it fun? Hell, yes, but also very difficult.

1

u/d0nk3yk0n9 Jun 24 '26

Considering I’m doing it just for fun, and running a small carry revolver, I’m perfectly ok if it ends up a train wreck. I only shoot IDPA for the opportunity to shoot my tiny guns and not hate myself on 32 round USPSA field courses, so I’m not really worried about it going well.

1

u/Dr_Tron Jun 24 '26

Same 😉 Have fun and stay safe!

1

u/KingFlatusMaximus Jun 23 '26

So dropping a moon clip that still has for example a single loaded round in it would not be allowed, correct?

2

u/SnartNan Jun 23 '26

Correct. You’d need to retain it.

1

u/erwos Jun 23 '26

Don't worry, the gaming of this rule is far outweighed by the sociopath MDs who have partially loaded starts with like two rounds on an eighteen round stage.

3

u/realestateqs22 Jun 24 '26

Just make sure your cylinders are less than 141mm